GREENVILLE, N.C. — Nearly 20 varieties of chili and baked goods such as cakes and pastries appealed to the appetites and wallets of citizens during the 16th Annual Greenville Fire/Rescue Chili Cook-off held recently at Fire Station 1. The result was a significant increase in this year's profits compared to last year's event.

In all, more than $2,500 was raised through the sale of chili and the silent auction for baked goods with all proceeds going to the United Way of Pitt County. Approximately 250 people attended this year's cook-off.

“It’s something different to add to the variety of ways the city raises money for the United Way,” Fire/Rescue Chief Eric Griffin said. “It really has become a tradition for us and it’s a lot fun to come out and eat a bowl of chili and support the United Way.”

City employees and each of the City's fire stations entered in the open division of the contest along with several restaurants in the Uptown District that participated in the professional division. Chili from The Scullery took home the top prize for best chili after judging was completed by City leadership.

Donations helped to make this year's event a success with the Blackened Kraken donating cornbread, The Fresh Market providing meat for the fire station cooks, and a variety of donations coming from other businesses such as Publix, Panera Bread, Coca-Cola, Peaden's, Jamerican Hot Dogs, The Bread Lady, Duck Donuts, Gwendy's Goodies, Krispy Kreme, and The Seahorse Restaurant.

Money raised during this year's cook-off will be contributed to the City of Greenville's United Way campaign which provides for the agency that supports a handful of community outreach programs. Programs supported by the United Way include the Imagination Library, the Boys & Girls Club, the Student Success Academy, the Community Crossroads shelter, the Center for Family Violence, and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern Carolina, among others.